Where: East Alabama Gun Club Phenix City, Alabama
When: 28 February 2015
Round Count: 350
Instructor: (from BDSS website http://www.blackdiamondshootingservices.com/)
Kyle McMaster-Owner and Primary Instructor
-Over 7 years in Army Special Operations with multiple combat deployments
-Primary marksmanship instructor for an Army Special Operations selection course
-Taught marksmanship to over 2,000 soldiers and over 100 civilians
-(2014) Qualified for the Pro Series in 3-Gun Nation
-(2013) Achieved Master class ranking in USPSA in 2 separate divisions
-(2012) USPSA GA State Champion
-(2012) Ft. Benning Pistol Champion
-Attended Viking Tactics Carbine/Pistol course and Tier 1 Group’s Advanced Pistol Course
Students: 2
Equipment used:
- Glock 19 with Defoor Tactical Sights, Extended Slide Stop and mag release.
- Anchored Kydex AIWB holster and mag carrier
Kyle met us at the East Alabama Gun Club at 9 AM. We began with brief introductions and range orientation. This was followed by a good safety brief and the “universal Safety Rules.”
We then loaded up magazines, holstered up and moved on to the range. The first thing covered was fundamentals. I was extremely happy when Kyle used the same flow for fundamentals as I do
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Stance
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Grip
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Position
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Sight Alignment/ Sight Picture
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Trigger Control
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Follow through
He demonstrated each aspect and was clear and concise. During the trigger control portion he added specific parts based on the pistols we were using, not just his. This is important as some Instructors seem to want to use this time to sell a product rather than focus on the student’s firearm.
We followed this with some dry fire on IPSC targets with 1 inch squares at the 3 yard line during which repairs were made to stance and grip. Once Kyle was satisfied we loaded and were told to fire a slow 5 round group into the top square.
Lesson 1: Test gear prior to a class. Even OEM Glock parts. I last minute purchased 2 magazines and the first group had 3 malfunctions due to brand new magazine. I conducted a tac reload and the pistol ran fine. I know this lesson, yet…
We followed this drill with another group to another square and I was able to touch rounds with a functioning pistol. We repeated this drill and it was identified that the other shooter was anticipating the shot.
Despite this being a Level 2 course, Kyle did not hesitate to slow down and work out the issue. Using the Ball and Dummy drill, as seen with great instructors such as Paul Howe, the issue was quickly resolved and the other shooters groups tightened drastically.
We moved back to the 5 yard line and began grouping in the head “A” Zone on the IPSC. Kyle discussed how shooter capability, size of target and distance to target determine over all speed of the shots. This is something that few understand or teach. We fired another group to the head and the lesson set well. At this point we cleared weapons and recharged magazines.
Now that Kyle was satisfied we were grouping well we went over the draw stroke. (NOTE: I have been in the New York Empire for the last decade so this portion was very important to me) The 4 step draw was demonstrated and then we dry fired by the numbers. We spent a good deal of time dry in order to smooth out the process. Also of note, Kyle reiterated that you want your draw to be one smooth process and despite learning it by the numbers we were encouraged at every point to make it smooth and fast. I am not going to go into the particulars of the BDSS style of the draw but it is easy to understand and functional. This is an AAR.
I was working from an Anchored Kydex (www.anchoredKydex.com) AIWB holster and this was my first time firing from it. I have been doing dry fire and was effective and safe but not fast.
Lesson 2: Index points need to be learned and tactile. When establishing my grip on the draw I was missing the index point and pushing rounds left.
We spent a handful of rounds on singles from the draw and quickly moved into 2 rounds to finish off the mag set. We recharged mags and moved into slide lock reloads. I expected to be told to slingshot the Glock but was pleasantly surprised when told to use the slide stop. I was very glad I upgraded to the extended slide stop. For the purpose of the Level 2 course, we didn’t spend a lot of time on tactical reloads. We were told to reload on our own after a brief discussion on mag placement and techniques such as loading in the workspace.
We then began to work transitioning from target to target. We began with 2 targets and started slow. Kyle taught the Eyes>head> Body technique most are familiar with. We did a few iterations of this from the draw and then moved on
Next was forward movement. Kyle talked the particulars of moving and shooting and dispelled some myths based on old training methodologies. We spent 4 mags on this and speed and number of rounds per run were increased each run.
All the above took about 2 hours which with two students was very ample time. The only breaks to this point were magazine recharging. It was not rushed by any means but there was no wasted time.
We then were told to take a small break and top off mags. We helped move some props onto the range and then were sent on another break while Kyle set up the scenarios.
This portion of the class was very enlightening. The next 2 hours were filled with realistic, 180 degree Home/Urban defense scenarios that required the use of cover, thinking, target identification, high accuracy, and all the skillsets we had worked on previously. No, I am not going to tell you what they are. Go to the course.
Following the scenarios, we ran some decompression drills such as El Pres. These were just some basic static drills to focus us back into accuracy.
We concluded by clearing weapons and clearing up the props.
Summary.
I have spent the last 3 years teaching rifles and urban operations for the US Army. I have fired 10s of thousands of rounds since 2007 but few with pistols. I am also a qualified Army Master Marksmanship Trainer. I placed in the top 1/3 against 180 international pistol shooters and I found this course challenging. It was a combination of self-imposed expectations and tough and realistic shooting. You will be hard pressed to find an instructor with Kyle McMaster’s credentials and skills. You will be harder pressed to find one as professional and personable as Kyle. Nearly impossible is finding an instructor of this caliber for the cost.
Black Diamond Shooting Services is a new, small business. Kyle IS the real deal. If you are in the Fort Benning area, contact them and shoot with them. You will not be disappointed.